How do I make the Arms Dealer NPC happy in Terraria?

To make the Arms Dealer NPC happy in Terraria, you need to understand the NPC happiness system, which was introduced in the 1.4 update. This system allows NPCs to have preferences for specific biomes and neighbors, which directly affects their happiness. A happy NPC will offer discounts on their items and, in some cases, sell unique items. For the Arms Dealer, his happiness is influenced by the biome he lives in and the NPCs he is housed near.

The Arms Dealer prefers to live in the Desert biome. If you place him in a house located in the Desert, he will be happier than if he were in other biomes. Additionally, he likes to be near the Nurse and dislikes being near the Steampunker. This means that if you house him near the Nurse, his happiness will increase, but if he is near the Steampunker, his happiness will decrease. It is important to note that NPCs also have a dislike for being overcrowded. If there are more than three NPCs within a 25-tile radius, their happiness will decrease. Therefore, you should avoid placing too many NPCs close to the Arms Dealer.

To maximize the Arms Dealer's happiness, you should build a house for him in the Desert biome and place the Nurse nearby. You can create a small village in the Desert with just these two NPCs to ensure they are not overcrowded. Make sure their houses are within 25 tiles of each other but not too close to other NPCs. You can use the Housing menu to check if the houses are valid and to see the happiness level of the NPCs.

When building the houses, ensure they meet the basic requirements for NPC housing. Each house must be at least 6 blocks wide and 10 blocks tall, with walls, a light source, a table, a chair, and a door. You can use materials like sandstone or hardened sand blocks to match the Desert theme. Adding some decorative items like cacti or desert plants can also enhance the aesthetic of the village.

One common mistake players make is placing the Arms Dealer in a biome he dislikes, such as the Jungle or Snow biome. This will significantly reduce his happiness. Another mistake is overcrowding the area with too many NPCs, which can negate the positive effects of having the Nurse nearby. To avoid these issues, always check the biome and the proximity of other NPCs when placing the Arms Dealer.

Advanced techniques for optimizing the Arms Dealer's happiness include creating a dedicated Desert village with only the Arms Dealer and the Nurse. This ensures that no other NPCs interfere with their happiness. You can also use pylons to create a network of teleportation points, making it easier to travel between different biomes without disrupting the NPCs' happiness. Pylons are sold by NPCs when they are happy and in their preferred biome, so having a happy Arms Dealer can help you obtain the Desert Pylon.

Resource requirements for building a Desert village include sandstone blocks, glass, wood, and torches. You may also need to craft furniture like tables and chairs using wood or other materials. If you are in the early game, gathering these resources might take some time, but it is worth the effort to ensure your NPCs are happy.

In terms of class and equipment considerations, the Arms Dealer sells guns and ammunition, which are essential for ranged class players. Keeping him happy will reduce the cost of these items, making it easier to stock up on supplies. If you are playing as a ranged class, it is especially important to keep the Arms Dealer happy to save money on bullets and guns.

A specific example of optimizing the Arms Dealer's happiness would be to create a small Desert village with two houses: one for the Arms Dealer and one for the Nurse. Place these houses about 20 tiles apart to ensure they are within the preferred range but not too close to other NPCs. Use sandstone blocks for the walls and floors, and add some decorative items like cacti and desert plants. This setup will keep both NPCs happy, allowing you to benefit from discounted prices and potentially obtain the Desert Pylon.

In conclusion, making the Arms Dealer happy in Terraria involves placing him in the Desert biome, housing him near the Nurse, and avoiding overcrowding. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize his happiness and enjoy the benefits of discounted items and unique sales. Advanced techniques like creating a dedicated Desert village and using pylons can further enhance your gameplay experience. Proper resource management and strategic building will ensure your NPCs are happy and your world is thriving.